Connect.DC

Cause Area

  • Community
  • Computers & Technology
  • Education & Literacy

Location

200 I St. SEWashington, DC 20003 United States
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Organization Information

Mission Statement

Connect.DC’s mission is to promote meaningful participation in technology for every person in the District of Columbia. We recognize that Internet access and digital literacy are necessary to ensure residents have the information technology capacity needed for civic and cultural participation, employment, lifelong learning, social interaction and access to essential services. Therefore, we leverage government, private sector and community resources to provide affordable broadband access, digital education and outreach initiatives to bridge the digital divide in the District.

Description

As the lead technology agency of the District Government, the Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO) assumes a leadership role in deploying broadband infrastructure and promoting digital adoption in the District. Through activities ranging from connecting every public school in the city with high-speed internet access to building out a 100 gigabyte, 300-mile community fiber optic network, OCTO is at the forefront of empowering citizens through technology.

Despite our accomplishments, there remains a disparity between digital "haves" and "have-nots" in the District. Research based on the 2010 Census reveals that broadband adoption is below 40 percent, on average, in Wards 5, 7 and 8, but near 100 percent in other Wards. Earlier this year, OCTO launched the Digital Inclusion Initiative (DII)--more commonly known as Connect.DC--to draw attention to the advantages of technology and collaborate with government, nonprofit and corporate entities to advance citywide access and education initiatives.

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